ASLEEP YET AWAKE

toys

"Come here baby". I yelled after Ame as she ran in the park.

The park was unusualy quite and empty.

I ran behing Ame and sat down beside her.

I raised a hand to pet her and ruffled her ears. She purred at my touch and likcked my hand.

I heard footsteps from behind. I turned back and saw the face I loved most. Ray was sauntering towards me.

"Having fub eh?" He asked.

I looked at him for a moment before answering,"we were having a day out".

His face turned into a sad expression as he said,"you have forgotten me Lara".

His words punctured my heart. How could he even think that? I cannot even imagine to forget him. But then I remembered that it would have been much better if only I could forget him.

The conversation I had with Jenny ran through my mind and stood up bewildered. Even though it was difficult to accept but still I gathered all the courage I had and told him,"you are not real".

He looked taken aback by my words but soon recovered."see I told you that you have forgotten me". He retorted back."I thought you loved me?" He questioned.

"I do". I replied.

"Then won't you stay here?" He asked me.

But this time I was sure about what I was doing. "I know you are not real". I said in his face. I turned back to leave. I fastened my pace. Ame followed at my heel as I walked on and on.

I did not dare to turn back twice. My heart was crushing with pain but I kept chanting that he is not real as I walked further.

I woke up with my heart beating loudly in my chest. I ran a hand through my hair as the memory of the dream clouded my vision.

When did my life become such a big mess?

The day mia and Ray left. The answer came to me immideately.

My phone beeped on the bedside table. I picked it up to check the intruder. There was a text from Anna. I opened the text with furrowed brows.

Meet me at 2 in the cafe down the street. Remember I once told you they sold yummy cakes?

Yeah. I remembered the cafe. I have peeped in a few times while coming back from Jenny's. It looked warm and cozy.

I typed back a quick reply telling her that I will meet her there.

I had little time to spare. So without delaying I got up and showered. After the rains the weather had changed and cool breeze blew. It was cold outside and I decided on some warm clothes.

After feeding Ame I wrapped her in a blanket and we left for the day. Anna was going to meet me at the cafe soon. I decided to walk the short distance instead of taking a cab.

I found Anna inside the cafe sitting on a corner table. She waved at me and I walked towards her.

"I feel empty. Let's fill ourselves before we start our errands". She suggested.

"Sure. Also this place smells amazing. Let's check out their menu". I said.

We scanned the menu together and ended up ordering milkshakes and cakes.

Even though I was adding extra calories but I did not care because the food was amazing.

We payed our bill and decided to come again some time later. I had already fallen in love with this place. The inside was decorated in a very cute way. Walls were brightly painted with pictures of animated yellow abd orange birds.

We walked out of the cafe and marched towards the store where we were to get toys for Ame.

"The cakes were delicious". Anna declared.

"One day I will come at this place with totaly empty stomach and try out all of their cakes". Anna said

I laughed. "You will gain extra calories dear". I reminded her.

"Food comes first". She simply said.

"In your case, sure it does". I joked.

She snorted. "Yeah. I am kinda similar to my brother in this way. Trust me that guy can eat anything". She said.

I laughed. She was fun to be with.

Soon we reached the little shop Anna was so eager about. It had a huge dog paw in the front which read petzz.

The whole shop was shelf after shelf lined with stuff. At one side of the shop there were caged birds like parrits and hyenas. On one side there were shelves of food for the birds. Remaining walls were lined with toys and stuff.

On the main counter sat an old lady with cat eye lenses. She had her red hair tied in a bun at the top of her head. Her head was lined with beaded necklaces. She greeted us as we entered the shop.

Anna did the talking and told the old lady that we were looking for toys for Ame. She was delighted at the sight of Ame and immideately took her to the shelf lined with cat toys.

There were balls of wools and a variety of colourful stuff. My eyes settled on a pair of neon wolly mouse. The looked adorable. I picked one up to check it out. It was soft and stuffed. An ideal toy for Ame. While I looked at the mouse Anna had already walked further.

She exclaimed with joy as she found the ideal toy. She showed me her selection. Ut was a huge ball with buttons. Every button played different songs on being pressed. It was a unique toy and I too liked it instantly.

We decided to buy them both. The old women was delighted. We thanked her and went out of the shop.

"I wish I were a cat too". Anna said as we walked back home.

"What makes you think that?" I questioned her.

"Just look at all these toys". Anna commented.

I laughed. "Then you will have to feast on little mouses". I said.

"I wouldn't have bothered that anyway". She said with a giggle.

Cold wind swept past us and I pulled my coat closer to me. It was getting cold.

We came across the same cafe again and Anna wiggled her eyebrows at me

I knew what she was indicating at. I shook my head in defeat and followed her to the entrance. For the second time in a day we enetered the cafe.

But this time instead of ordering cakes and milkshakes we ordered coffee this time since the weather was already chilling.

The hot coffee was a delight and then I felt grateful for coming in for a coffee.

After coffee we left for home. We stood on the diversion wishing our good boys. After few minutes I turned left while she turned right and both of us walked in opposite directions.

I call it a day. I had not gone to Jenny today. I will catch up with her tomorrow. I turned a street which brought me close to home.

I reached home and heaved a sigh. Atlast the day has come to an end